September 2019 Edition WNYPGA NEWS Official Newsletter of the Western New York Section, PGA of America
SECTION NEWS 1
BOARD OF DIRECTORS INSIDE THE ISSUE 2 PRESIDENT’S VIDEO MESSAGE President Rob Horak, PGA
Rob Horak, PGA 3 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S VIDEO MESSAGE [email protected] Steven Bartkowski
4 2019 WNYPGA ANNUAL MEETING Vice President Itinerary and details for the meeting on Oct. 7th
Dan Antonucci, PGA 5 2019 BOARD ELECTIONS/ CAMPAIGN SPEECHES Election overview and campaign nominations [email protected] 6 DAN ANTONUCCI President Campaign Secretary 7 MIKE D’AGOSTINO Jake Northrup, PGA Secretary Campaign [email protected] 8 STEVE CARNEY Director Campaign
Honorary President 9 TOM MALONEY Michael O'Connor, PGA Director Campaign
[email protected] 10 GOLF MAX NEW PRODUCT Proud sponsor of the WNYPGA
Tournament Chairman 11 PLAYER OF THE YEAR TROPHY GETS A NEW NAME Trophy is renamed the Lonnie Nielsen POY Award Dwayne Randall, PGA [email protected] 12 OMEGA PLAYER OF THE YEAR STANDINGS See standings for all four divisions
Director 13 NEW PGA MEMBERS Congratulations to our new Associates Steve Carney, PGA 14 WHAT’S IN THE BAG [email protected] Featuring Match Play Champion Mike Sweazy
15 ASSITANT PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT Director Featuring Jimmy Callaghan Mike D'Agostino, PGA 16 BE SOCIAL WNY [email protected] Check out our revamped YouTube page
17 WNYPGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE Director Our remaining tournaments for September—November
Michael Kiel, PGA 18 TOURNAMENT UPDATES August/ September results [email protected] 19 SHOW ME THE MONEY Thank you to all of our tournament sponsors Director Robert King, PGA 20 JON HOECKER WINS IN FOUR DECADES Jon continues his stellar play and wins the Section Championship [email protected] 21 PGA HOPE NATIONAL GOLF & WELLNESS WEEK Congratulations Nick Martone on your selection Director 22 PGA HOPE UPDATES Sean Moffat, PGA See what programs we are offering for our local veterans
[email protected] 23 98 DAY 100-HOLE MARATHON Host your own 100-Hole event and support Glen Oak GC on Sept. 25th
Director 24-25 2019 SECTION PARTNERS Kyle Benish, PGA Thank you to all of our 2019 Section Partners
CONTACT THE SECTION SECTION STAFF Player Development Coordinator Executive Director Clementina Rodriguez Glen Oak Golf Club Steven Bartkowski [email protected] 711 Smith Road [email protected]
East Amherst, NY 14051 Tournament Director PGA Works Fellow Main Phone/Fax: (716) 626-7095 Ric Alberico, PGA Jacob Coles Steven Bartkowski (716) 313-2943 [email protected] [email protected] Ric Alberico: (716) 707-3814
Bob Ashley: (716) 707-3818 Junior Golf Director Clementina Rodriguez (716) 646-8479 Bob Ashley, PGA Jacob Coles (716) 247-6283 [email protected]
[email protected] westernnewyork.pga.com
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SECTION NEWS 2
FINAL PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE FROM ROB HORAK, PGA
CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO LISTEN TO ROB HORAK’S MESSAGE TO THE WNYPGA SECTION!
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO: www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS 3 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S VIDEO UPDATE
CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO SEE STEVEN BARTKOWSKI, THE WNY SECTION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GIVE UPDATES ON THE UPCOMING OMEGA TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP, THE FALL MEETING AND MUCH MORE!
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO: www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS 4 WNYPGA ANNUAL MEETING
TO: All WNYPGA Members FROM: The WNYPGA Board of Directors MONDAY, OCTOBER 7TH, 2019 | GLEN OAK GOLF CLUB AGENDA
EDUCATION:
7:30 AM Check-In and Breakfast
8:00 AM—10:00 AM Education on Millennials & Career Planning
MEETING PROPER:
10:00 AM Meeting Registration Opens
10:30 AM Annual Meeting call to order/
Formal session begins/ Committee Reports
11:10 AM PGA Career Consultant Update w/ Chris Kulinski
11:20 AM PGA Junior League Update w/ Doug The spring and fall meetings are integral parts of the business affairs of Wert the Section and all members are encouraged to attend. These meetings
11:30 AM Fireside Chat with John Lindert, are your opportunity to learn, ask questions, and provide necessary PGA of America Secretary feedback about both Section and National programs. 12:15 PM Old Business/ New Business All PGA Members in attendance will receive MSR Credits which will be 12:30 PM Open Forum applied to the PGA/Education requirements of the current MSR Cycle, ending June 15th, 2021. Attendees will receive 1 PGA Required MSR 12:40 PM Section Special Award Winners Meeting/Education Credit for every hour present during the meeting 12:50 PM Election of Board of Directors and education portion. 1:00 PM Projected Adjournment REGISTRATION LINKS: MEETING | EDUCATION | GOLF
HOLE IN ONE SHOOTOUT:
1:00 PM Lunch **ATTIRE FOR THE MEETING WIL BE JACKET AND TIE** 1:30 PM Shootout Begins
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SECTION NEWS 5 2019 BOARD ELECTIONS/CAMPAIGN SPEECHES
Elections for the next Section Board of Directors and Officers will be held at the Annual Fall Membership meeting on Monday, October 7th at Glen Oak GC. Those PGA Members seeking election are— Dan Antonucci, PGA—President (NEW) Jake Northrup, PGA—Vice-President (NEW) Mike D’Agostino, PGA—Secretary (NEW) Steve Carney, PGA—Director (INCUMBENT) Mike Kiel, PGA—Director (INCUMBENT) Tom Maloney, PGA—Director (NEW) Terry Stiltner, PGA—Director (NEW) As the next election is approaching, here is what you need to know as you prepare to make your selection:
• The President, Vice President, and Secretary shall be elected at the Annual Meeting by a two-thirds majority of the eligible voting Membership in attendance for a term consisting of 2 years.
• If more than one person is seeking a position as an Officer, each individual will be required to make a five minute presentation at the Annual Meeting.
• Each Director shall be elected by a majority of the eligible voting Membership in attendance for a term of three years from the date of election, unless the spot is a vacancy position that individual will carry out that term.
• Persons interested in nominating a person seeking a position as an Officer or Director were able to notify the Section Office in writing by April 1st. The names of each person nominated (incumbent or new) were announced at the Spring Meeting (and listed above) and each candidate will be allowed a campaign speech to be listed in this September Newsletter on the following pages.
• The nomination of each person seeking election to a position as an Officer or Director must receive a second from the floor at the Annual Meeting. Persons seeking a position may also be nominated from the floor and receive a second from the floor at the Annual Meeting but will not be able to give a speech at said time.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO: www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS 6 DAN ANTONUCCI PRESIDENT CAMPAIGN
Dear WNYPGA Section Professionals,
We are blessed to be part of one of the best PGA Sections in the country. Being a united and financially sound section with talented Professionals and strong leadership. I have worked my entire PGA Career in the WNYPGA Section, with the last 28 years as Head PGA Golf Professional at the Niagara Frontier G.C. Since 2007, It has been my privilege serving on the WNYPGA Board of Directors. It has been the highlight of my career, working with and meeting so many dedicated Professionals who come together with their personal expertise and ideas to make our section great.
For the above reasons, I would like to announce my candidacy for President of the WNYPGA and continue to assist raising our section to new heights.
A portion of my platform and goals are as follows: Make the WNYPGA Professionals the “Leaders in Golf" in WNY, through the local television, radio, print and social media. When someone thinks golf, they should be thinking the WNYPGA. Grow the WNYPGA Foundation and explore new ways to help the Foundation benefit local golf programs, the Section and our Professionals. Push the National PGA and our CEO, Seth Waugh to institute a direct benefit programs for the PGA Pro- fessional. Assist in keeping our Section financially strong, and look for new ways to bring in new revenue.
There will be many other topics that will need to be reviewed and discussed, but the bottom line I will use is how does this benefit the WNYPGA Section and it’s Professionals.
I would appreciate your support and vote at our Fall Meeting on Monday October 7, 2019.
Thank you for all you do every day as a PGA Professional, promoting golf and making it the greatest game on earth.
Sincerely, Daniel P. Antonucci PGA Certified Professional WNYPGA Vice President
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SECTION NEWS 7 MIKE D’AGOSTINO SECRETARY CAMPAIGN
Dear WNYPGA Professionals, My Name is Michael D’Agostino and I am running for Secretary of the WNYPGA. I have served as a Board of Director and Chairman of the Growth of the Game/Jr Golf Committee since March 2015, and I also currently serve as Secretary of the PGA Reach Western New York Board of Trustees. I have been very instrumental in organizing/coordinating many programs that we conduct in our section, from the HOPE program, PGA Jr. League, and Smiling FORE Life. We are a small section by size, however with the programing we do for our Members and the communities we serve, I would put us up with any of the 40 other sections in the PGA of America. We have a wonderful organization, and I look forward to carrying on what our current board and wonderful staff have done to advance the section. Since I have been involved in the section leadership, I have learned a great deal of what goes on with the governance and how to work with a board to get the best outcomes for our organization and the Membership. As an Officer, I will continue to work hard at the board level for the best interest of our Membership and section. If you have any questions or would like to discuss any concerns you may have, please contact me at [email protected] or 585-377-1240 x1. I look forward to seeing all of you at the Fall Meeting on October 7, and I hope I can count on your vote to become your next Secretary of the Western New York PGA. Sincerely, Michael D’Agostino, PGA WNYPGA Board of Directors Growth of the Game/Jr. Golf Committee Chairman Secretary PGA Reach Western NY Board of Trustees
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SECTION NEWS 8 STEVE CARNEY DIRECTOR CAMPAIGN
Dear WNYPGA Professionals, Our section has come a long way to become the best Section in the Country. I have been in the section since 1976 and have assisted in many ways on numerous committees. Presently I have been the Education chair- man for the past 5 years. When our Section moved into the Fox Valley location I worked to get the offices as nice as was possible for our staff. I’m glad to help the Section whenever ask and will continue. During the past years I have voiced my opinion numerous times to the Board at the National office regarding more direct benefits for all Members. They said it couldn’t be done but low and be- hold our CEO, Seth Waugh, is presently working on ways to make this happen in different forms. There will be more to come on this. In addition this year was the 25th Pro-am that I have hosted for our section members. At Riverside Golf Course and at Holiday Valley Resort. And every year we’re super glad to host a stop on the WNY Junior Tour. In the future weather elected or not I will continue to voice my opinion for the betterment of our members and the WNYPGA Section. Thanks you, Steve Carney, PGA Master Professional Director of Golf Holiday Valley Resort - 2004 to Present Candidate for Board of Directors WNY PGA
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SECTION NEWS 9 TOM MALONEY DIRECTOR CAMPAIGN
Fellow WNYPGA Professionals, My name is Tom Maloney and I will be on the ballot for election to our Section Board of Directors at next month’s Annual Fall Meeting. I have been a PGA member since 2014 and currently am an Assistant and Teaching Professional at Webster Golf Club, and a member of our Section’s Growth of the Game Committee. Since joining WNYPGA as an apprentice in 2010, growing the game has been my focus and passion. I have participated in the Hope Program at the Canandaigua VA for the last eight years, and served as coordinator the last two years. In addition to enriching the lives of over two-hundred veterans, our efforts resulted in WNYPGA being award the inaugural Community Participation award from the VA.
As captain of the PGA Jr League teams at Webster Golf Club for the past three years, I helped introduce more than forty juniors to competitive golf, and captained a Rochester division all-star team at the WNYPGA section qualifier the past two years.
As a Teaching Professional at WGC I leveraged the value of PGA and Get Golf Ready brands to establish a highly regarded platform of offerings, reaching junior, women and corporate audiences.
I would appreciate the opportunity to bring my passion and experience in growing the game to the WNYPGA Section Board of Directors. It would be a privilege to serve you and your constituents.
Sincerely, Thomas Maloney, PGA
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SECTION NEWS 10
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SECTION NEWS 11 PLAYER OF THE YEAR TROPHY GETS A NEW NAME
PGA Professional Lonnie Nielsen has been arguably one of the best players to come through the WNYPGA Tournament circuit in the past few decades winning numerous Major Championships and Player of the Year titles. He not only raised the level of playing of all those around him, but also made a huge impact in purse dollars and media spot- light on the Western New York PGA Section. Due to these reasons and more, this past winter the Section Board of Directors passed unanimously the changing of the name of the Player of the Year Trophy to the “Lonnie Nielsen Player of the Year Trophy.” It only seemed right as Lonnie’s name is listed on the trophy an impressive 12 times!
This all came on the heels of Lonnie being inducted into the Greater Buffalo Hall of Fame this past offseason. The Greater Buffalo Spots Hall of Fame came into inception in 1991 and with the induction of the Class of 2018, the 28th class to be induct- ed into the Hall of Fame, the total membership is now 330. This community’s sports hall of fame is one of the nation’s most unique since its scope is all encompassing. The honorees live, have lived and worked in Western New York. They are men and women who have contributed to the welfare of sports in Greater Buffalo by performance, time, effort and/or financial support whether that sport be amateur or professional.
Lonnie Nielsen’s name is synonymous with golfing excellence in Western New York. And for good reason. He’s not only made his mark in local golf, having served as club pro at the prestigious Crag Burn Golf Club in East Aurora since 1983, but also in state-wide competition, as well as on the national scene on both the PGA Tour and the PGA Champions Tour.
Lonnie turned pro in 1976, joined the PGA Tour in 1978 and in 1983 began helping countless local golfers as the head pro at Crag Burn. However, when he wasn’t instructing, he was playing, and winning – a lot. He owns two New York State Open Championships (1985, 1989), eight Western New York Open titles, two WNYPGA Match Play titles, nine Western New York PGA Section titles and a PGA Stroke Play title.
The national spotlight came mostly on the PGA Champions Tour for PGA members 50 years of age and older. Lonnie won the Commerce Bank Championship in 2007, besting Loren Roberts by two strokes. Two years later, he won the 2009 Dick’s Sport- ing Goods Open by going 21 under, including a final round 63 to win by three strokes over Fred Funk. In 2006, he nearly pulled off his biggest win ever at the JELD-WEN Tradition, one of five majors on the Champions Tour, when he lost to eventual champion Eduardo Romero, who birdied the first extra playoff hole.
While he didn’t win on the regular PGA Tour, he did place 11th at the 1986 PGA Championship. He also has twice represented the United States in the PGA Cup, a competition originating in 1973 pitting PGA teams from the U.S., Great Britain and Ireland.
A native of Belle Plaine, Iowa, Lonnie is a 1976 graduate of the University of Iowa. He was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame in 2010 in the Amateur / Professional Golfer category. He won the Iowa State Amateur in 1975, the same year he was named the Iowa Player of the Year.
Lonnie focuses his charitable pursuits on helping America’s injured veterans gain access to proper golf instruction. He became the first Tour professional to be a lead contributor to the GIVE Foundation (Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere), a not-for-profit organization to provide a structured golf pro- gram for injured Veterans who use the Iowa City VA Health Care System. The golf program is comprised of four phases of training for injured veterans to participate in to enhance injured veterans’ mental, social, physical, and emotional well-being; and improve their quality of life.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO: www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS 12
Professional Player of the Year Standings
Assistants POY Points 1: Matt Stasiak, Battistoni Golf Center, 69.50 PTS 2: Tim Falkner, Crag Burn Golf Club, 52 PTS 3: Conor Grandin, Oak Hill Country Club, 45 PTS
Professional POY Points 1: Kirk Stauffer, PGA Life Member, 662.75 PTS 2: Dwayne Randall, Bartlett Country Club, 656.50 PTS 3: Michael O’Connor, The Kahkwa Club, 395.75 PTS
Senior POY Points 1: Kirk Stauffer, PGA Life Member, 1077.50 PTS 2: Michael O’Connor, The Kahkwa Club, 719.14 PTS 3: John Hoecker, Brook-Lea Country Club, 667.64 PTS
Woman POY Points 1: Lauren Tallman, Ravenwood Golf Course, 250 PTS 2: Stacy Harrower, The Park Country Club, 100 PTS
CLICK HERE FOR FULL STANDINGS IN ALL DIVISIONS
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SECTION NEWS 13
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SECTION NEWS 14 What’s in the Bag: Mike Sweazy, PGA
Mike, “Sweet Swinging,” Sweazy currently holds 6th Place for the OMEGA Player of the Year Race and earned his first Major win in the 2019 Match Play Championship at Crag Burn GC. 2019 Stats: • Match Play Champion • T-3rd Place at Bartlett Pro-Am
Driver: I am currently using a Titleist TS3 8.5-degree driver with a HZRDUS SMOKE 6.5 shaft. I also use an EPIC Flash 9-degree driver with the same exact shaft. I tend to play the EPIC on the tighter golf course as I feel I have more control of my golf ball. Fairway Wood: I currently use a mix of fairway woods depending on the golf course. I always carry a Titleist TS2 13.5-degree fairway wood with a HZRDUS 6.5 shaft. This is always in my bag almost as a second driver. I sometimes carry a 19-degree 5 wood with a Graphite Design DI-6X shaft. This is more of a fairway wood and helps for second shots into par 5’s. Hybrid/Driving Iron: This club is very interchangeable in my bag, although not in the bag as much as the 5 wood. My new TS3 hybrid might make its way into the bag, but I like the versatility of the 5 wood from rough and into par 5’s. Irons: I currently just switched from the Titleist AP2 irons to the new T100 irons. My set make up is 4-PW and I also use their 50-degree wedges as I feel it fills the gaps in my bag better than a standard 50-degree Vokey does. My shaft of choice is the KBS C-Taper S+ at 125 grams. I tend to spin the ball with my irons a lot and this helps take some of that spin off. Wedges: I carry two Vokey wedges in my bag. 54 degree and a 58 degree. The 58 degree also be to swing slightly slower than I would if I carried a 60-degree wedge and also again helps control the spin on the control shots into the green. Putter: The putter has always been the weakest part of my game and something that has held me back for years. After some research and testing I have switched to a Bettinardi Arm Lock putter at 43”. This has really changed my look on putting and the ball has never rolled so nice for me. This is something that will be in the bag for a long time. Ball: I have played the PROV1X since I was introduced. This year I switched to the PROV1. Seems to be a better fit for my iron and short game and allowing me to have more control into the greens this year. I typically always play high number balls and always have my kids’ names stamped on the side of the ball. Other Accessories: I carry a lucky penny with a putter and ball stamped in it that my wife gave me a long time ago as well as a stuffed animal that my niece gave to me when I was trying to qualify for the US Amateur in 1997. Both have stayed in my bag since then.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO: www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS 15 Assistant Professional Spotlight: Jimmy Callaghan (The Kahkwa Club)
The Assistant Professional Spotlight was started in 2018 to recognize the outstanding work that our PGA Assistant Professionals are doing at their facilities through out WNY. For the July 2019 edition, we would like to congratulate Greg Beringer at Oak Hill Country Club on his What is your original hometown? outstanding work in the Section! Born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania.
How long have you been a class B-8 Member? I have been a class B-8 member for only 3 months now.
What is your tenure at the Kahkwa Club? I have worked at The Kahkwa Club previously in the summers 2014,2015 and 2016 and now again this summer in 2019.
How long have you been in the section and have you had any other jobs? I have been in the section for 3 months. I have also worked outside operations and caddied at The Dye Preserve in Jupiter FL for the past 5 winters and the summer in 2017 as well as working at The Misquamicut Club in Rhode Island in the summer of 2018.
Have you won any section awards? I have not won any awards.
What/ who inspired you to get into the golf industry? Having played the game for most of my life, I wanted to give back and help others improve and love the game of golf as much as I do. During my time here at The Kahkwa Club, I have watched our Director of Golf Michael ’O Connor be a true professional in every aspect. He has given me the drive and determination to be one of the best Golf Professionals in the business.
What are your responsibilities at the club? Merchandising Director for The Golf Shop and Director for our Ladies 9-hole League as well as handling daily activities for our club.
Are there any fun programs you have initiated for the golfers at the Kahkwa Club? I have introduced a “Glow Golf Night” for our lady members coming up the first week of October.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO: www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS 16
Stay up to date with everything going on in the WNY Section, @WNYPGA and follow us and our Foundation at @PGAREACHWNY the handles below!
And make sure to check @wnypga out our YouTube Channel to see interviews with players and get Section @pgareach_wny Updates! Click Here to see our channel!
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SECTION NEWS 17 2019 WNYPGA TOURNAMENTS SCHEDULE #WEPLAY
SEPTEMBER Oct. 7 3 Pro-Assistant Shootout 8 Locust Hill Pro Am Nov 18-20 9-10 Match Play Las Vegas 16 Pro Pro 20 Assistant Champ 23-24 Tour Champ 30 Cup Matches
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATION
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SECTION NEWS 18 WNYPGA Tournament Circuit—August/ September
FOUR WAY TIE FOR 1ST AT HOLIDAY VALLEY MATT STASIAK SHOOTS 67 TO WIN AT RESORT WELLSVILLE
For full results, CLICK HERE For full results, CLICK HERE
MATT STASIAK FIRES A 5 UNDER PAR 67 TO WIN STAUFFER WINS HIS 5TH WNYPGA SENIOR MIDVALE PRO-AM CHAMPIONSHIP
For full results, CLICK HERE For full results, CLICK HERE
STEVE BARBER & BOB PAPPERT WIN WNYPGA TIM FRIES-ROB KRAJEWSKI CROWNED WNYPGA SR-JR WITH 62 PRO-ASSISTANT CHAMPS
For full results, CLICK HERE For full results, CLICK HERE
SIGN UP FOR DIRECT DEPOSIT
Whether you are a PGA Professional competing in JON HOECKER WINS HIS 4TH WNYPGA SECTION events or a host facility for Section Events, help us CHAMPIONSHIP get you paid even faster. The NEW Online safe por- tals below will get you registered for direct depos- it. We strongly encourage all Members and Host Fa- cilities to sign up.
CLICK HERE to register for tournament direct deposit as a PGA Professional. For full results, CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE to register for direct deposit as a host facility.
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SECTION NEWS 19
#WNYPGAPartners
SENIOR-JUNIOR PRO-PRO/ PRO-AM| WNYPGA SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP| WNYPGA SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP| PRO-ASSISTANT CHAMPIONSHIP
The Western New York Section would like to Steve Beattie highlight our event 296 Rochester Street sponsors from the Salamanca, NY 14779 previous months of 800-724-8329 August/ September [email protected] who made contributions to the WNYPGA to enhance our tournament program, educational Steve Gertner, PGA events and other Territory Manager activities here on the 6740 Cntebury Trail “ Victor, NY 14564 ” page. 585-507-3970 [email protected]
Please take a Heather Keranko (Buffalo/NW PA) moment to express 412-235-8073 your gratitude via [email protected] mail, email, or social media when possible.
Stuart Miller 47 Via da Vinci Clifton Park, NY 12065 518.383.0971 [email protected]
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SECTION NEWS 20
HOECKER WINS IN FOUR DIFFERENT DECADES
When one thinks of the great Gary Player, one thinks of longevity. Mr. Player won nine Senior Majors, and became the only golfer in history to complete the Grand Slam on both the Regular and Senior Tours. One of his proudest moments was when he was 42 and birdied seven of the final 10 holes to win the Masters.
A similar theme of longevity can be said about our 2019 WNYPGA Section Champion, Jon Hoecker. Hoecker was elected to PGA Membership in 1986 and has been a staple on the WNYPGA Tournament Circuit ever since. This past August, Jon claimed his fourth Section Championship title which is an impressive feat in itself. However, what is even more impressive is the length of time between his first victory to his most recent at Whispering Woods GC. Hoecker has now won arguably the toughest tournament in the Section in four different decades – 1988, 1997, 2008 and 2019. Will he be able to make it 5 decades in 2020?
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO: www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS 21
CONGRATULATIONS NICK MARTONE ON BEING SELECTED AS 1 of 20 VETERANS
NATIONWIDE FOR THE PGA HOPE NATIONAL GOLF & WELLNESS WEEK!!!
PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week
The PGA REACH WNY Foundation is honored to announce that PGA HOPE Graduate Nick Martone has been selected to the Inaugural PGA HOPE National Golf and Wellness week at Congressional this October. Nick will join 20 other Veterans on a fully funded week trip. Nick gave four years of ser- vice to the US Marine Core. Learn more about Nick HERE and about what PGA HOPE means to him.
The 20 Veterans who have been selected to participate in this year’s event will receive a tool kit of new skills focused on advanced golf instruction and impactful wellness training. This curriculum will be an extension to what Veterans have been learning throughout the year at their home PGA HOPE programs. The final day of the event will culminate with a golf outing at Congressional Country Club, where Veterans will have the opportunity to utilize the public speaking and networking skills they learned throughout the week as Ambassadors of the PGA HOPE program.
Our hope is that this unique opportunity will further empower PGA HOPE graduates who possess the motivation to excel in their personal rehabilitation journey to represent their local PGA HOPE com- munity on a national level.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO: www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS 22
BUFFALO CHAPTER; MAY 29TH—JULY 10TH @ GLEN OAK GC
ROCHESTER CHAPTER; AUGUST 6TH—SEPTEMBER 10TH @ CANANDAIGUA VA
ERIE CHAPTER; AUGUST 22ND—SEPTEMBER 30TH @ THE KAHKWA CLUB
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR WNYPGA PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR SERVICE TO OUR VETERANS FOR YEARS TO COME!!!
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO: www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS 23 98-Day 100-Hole Marathon for Charity
PGA REACH WNY is the 501 (c) (3) charitable arm of the Western New York Section, PGA of America. PGA REACH WNY was created with a goal of providing support to various organizations within the boundaries of the Western New York PGA Section. Through the game of golf, the Foundation will work to fund programs supporting its mission including the Western New York Section PGA Junior Golf initiatives and various other underprivileged youth golf programs. The Foundation will conduct and/or support a variety of initiatives that serve the founding pillars: youth, Military, and diversity in golf.
By raising funds through the 98-Day 100-hole Marathon, PGA REACH WNY Foundation has a vision to establish:
An indoor/outdoor learning center that would allow for year-long programming for veterans, juniors and diverse individuals alike that may otherwise not have access to golf.
A workforce program for our veterans to be able to earn some money while learning the trade of the golf industry.
A junior golf scholarship program for less fortunate individuals to be able to attend college.
A stable PGA Works Program with a new Works Fellow being hired on an annual basis.
In Western New York, the majority of our golf season is played between Memorial Day and Labor Day (i.e. 98 days). PGA REACH WNY 98-Day 100-Hole Marathon for Charity Details: Team of 4 Golfers (PGA Professionals, Amateurs, Juniors Golfers are all welcome!) Play 100-holes of golf in one day between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Play can be in any format the individuals choose. Pledge funds through respective networks - can be lump sum, certain dollar amount per birdie, based on how long it takes, etc. We encourage you to make it fun! 50% of the funds raised go to PGA REACH WNY and 50% go to another charity of your choice.
To set up the date of your marathon and receive marketing materials, please contact WNYPGA Executive Director Steven Bartkowski at (716) 313-2943 or [email protected].
Thank you for your generosity! NEXT 100-HOLE MARATHON: SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2019, Glen Oak GC @ 7AM
You can make a pledge on our GoFundMe Page at the link below:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/pga-hope-100-hole-marathon
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SECTION NEWS 24
2019 SECTION TITLE PARTNERS
2019 SECTION PRESENTING PARTNERS
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SECTION NEWS 25 2019 SECTION SUPPORTING PARTNERS
2019 JUNIOR PROGRAM PARTNERS
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